Horn and Bone
Craft - Many of the Indian's most useful and decorative implements
and objects were made from horn and bone and related material from birds
and animals.

Horn was the most easily worked because
when heated it could be flattened and made into any shape desired.
Two pieces could be welded by first heating them and then pressing them
firmly together. Horn was made into spoons, ladles, dishes, and containers.

From bone the Indian made tools, arrow
and spear heads, knives, buttons, and many other useful items. Antlers,
which were bone and not horn, were fashioned into bows, flaking tools,
and awls. Some of the larger and flatter bones of animals were used
as hoes by the farming Indians. The wing bones of certain birds were
used as whistles, and were thought to produce the same note as the bird's
cry.

The hoofs and dewclaws of animals and the
shells of turtles were made into rattles. Beaks of birds were used
for decoration; teeth of bears for necklaces; and elk teeth were sewed
on buckskin clothing.

The Indian had only crude stone tools to
fashion his bone and horn articles.